ANNUAL REPORT 2024
UNIT TRUST CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 2024
The Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation was established in 1982 pursuant to an Act of Parliament, the Unit Trust Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Act (‘the UTC Act’). The provisions of the UTC Act, and its subsequent amendments, govern the operation of the Corporation by defining its powers and duties.
The Corporate Governance Framework of the Corporation is designed to promote transparency, accountability and ethical business practices, ensuring that the Corporation operates in the best interests of its unitholders, stakeholders, and the wider community.
This framework is articulated through the Corporation’s Board and Committee Charters which are reviewed and revised to incorporate developments in the corporate governance landscape but continue to focus on the key elements of effectiveness, accountability, independence and strong relationships with stakeholders.
The governance structure of the Corporation is designed to ensure effective oversight and decision-making. The key components of our structure include:
The Board of Directors is responsible for providing strategic direction and overseeing the management, and ensuring that the Corporation’s operations are conducted in a manner that meets the expectations of its unitholders. The Board comprises independent and non-independent directors with diverse expertise in finance, legal, regulatory and investment management.
Committees of the Board:
In keeping with best practice, there is a clear division of roles and responsibilities between the Board and the Executive Director. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board and is charged with providing leadership and guidance to Senior Management and Team Members of the Corporation.
General and specific duties are outlined in the Charter for the Executive Director who, among other things, is responsible for:
In accordance with the UTC Act, the Board consists of 12 Directors, including the Chairman, Executive Director and 10 persons who are either independent or non- executive Directors. The Board structure and composition are governed by the UTC Act.
Members are appointed pursuant to section 7(1) of the UTC Act as follows:
Subject to section 7(3) of the UTC Act, four (4) persons of whom two (2) shall be appointed by the Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies as set out in section 17(2)(b) and two (2) by the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago as referred to in section 17(2)(d) provided that not less than three (3) of such persons shall have special knowledge of or experience in commerce, industry, labour, banking, finance or investment.
Pursuant to section 7(1) and section 7(2) of the UTC Act, the Board may appoint additional persons to be Directors but so that the total does not exceed twelve (12) in number.
New Directors participate in the Corporation’s onboarding programme which provides them with a formal introduction to the Corporation and its business. It also includes meetings with key persons. Ongoing education and training of Directors is encouraged and made available as required.
Notwithstanding the legislative provisions as articulated in the UTC Act, in order to ensure good governance practices and to adhere to international standards of best practice, a person appointed as a non-executive director may not serve as a member of the Board in any capacity for more than an aggregate period of eight years.
The following changes to the membership of the Board occurred during the reporting period:
| Ms. Jo-Anne Julien | Chairman |
| Mr. Nigel Edwards | Executive Director |
| Mr. Chip Sa Gomes | Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies Appointee |
| Mr. Brent Ford | Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies Appointee |
| Mrs. Sharmaine Caballero | Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago |
| Mr. Dirk Smith | Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago |
| Ms. Anne Joseph | Central Bank Appointee |
| Mr. Anthony Joseph | Ministry of Finance Appointee |
| Mrs. Kathryn Abdulla | National Insurance Board Appointee |
| Mr. Brevard Nelson | Independent |
| Mr. Robert Green | Independent |
| Mr. Stephen Allum Poon | Independent |
In recognition of the importance of Independent Directors being members of the Board of Directors, the Corporation has included in the definition of ‘Independent Director’ as set out in the Board of Directors’ Charter, the criteria as articulated in the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Corporate Governance Guideline. For the reporting period, three Directors were classified as independent in keeping with the UTC’s Board of Directors’ Charter.
The compensation of Directors is consistent with the Corporation’s policy to attract and retain a high calibre of Board Members to guide the Corporation’s strategic objectives.
Section 11 of the UTC Act provides the framework for the determination of the fees and allowances to be paid to Directors. The Corporation retains the services of an independent consultant to conduct a survey of the fees paid to Directors in the financial services industry. This information is used in consultations with the Central Bank in accordance with the aforementioned section 11 of the UTC Act.
The effectiveness of the Board as a whole and of its Committees is assessed against the accountabilities set out in the Corporate Governance Framework and each Committee’s Charter.
Matters considered in the evaluation include:
The Board of Directors held six meetings during the period January 1 – December 31, 2024, as follows
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| Board Member | Jan 21 | Mar 21 | May 16 | Jul 25 | Sep 26 | Nov 21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo-Anne Julien | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nigel Edwards | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Chip Sa Gomes | √ | √ | Abs. | √ | √ | √ |
| Sharmaine Caballero | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Fe Lopez-Collymore | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||
| Anne Joseph | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Dirk Smith | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Robert Green | √ | √ | Abs. | Abs. | √ | √ |
| Brevard Nelson | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Stephen Allum Poon | √ | √ | √ | √ | Abs. | √ |
| Anthony Joseph | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Brent Ford | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Kathryn Abdulla | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | √ | √ |
Abs.
Absent with excuse
Ceased to be a Director (Term ended)
1st Committee Meeting following appointment to Board of Directors
Each Committee is governed by a Charter that outlines its respective purpose, composition and responsibilities. Each Committee Charter and the membership of the Committees are reviewed on an annual basis by the Board to determine whether the Committees are being effective in conducting their mandates or whether changes need to be made to strengthen the Charter in keeping with the Corporation’s strategies.
Each committee provides a report to the Board at the end of each reporting period. A brief overview of the Committees and their functions is presented below
The Audit Committee (AC) is a Committee of the Board of Directors established to discharge independent oversight of the Corporation’s financial reports and of the Corporation’s compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
The Audit Committee held five meetings during the period January 1 – December 31, 2024, as follows:
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| Director | Feb 7 | Mar 18 | May 8 | Aug 7 | Nov 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Allum Poon (Chairman) | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Chip Sa Gomes | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Anne Joseph | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Sharmaine Caballero | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Brent Ford | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
1st Committee Meeting following appointment to Board of Directors
The Investment Committee (IC) is a Committee of the Board of Directors established to discharge independent oversight of the Corporation’s financial reports and of the Corporation’s compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
The Investment Committee held six meetings during the period January 1 – December 31, 2024, as follows:
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| Directors | Jan 31 | Apr 24 | Jun 26 | Sep 4 | Oct 16 | Dec 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo-Anne Julien | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Anthony Joseph | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nigel Edwards | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Brent Ford | N/A | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Dirk Smith | √ |
Ceased to be a Member
1st Committee Meeting following appointment to Board of Directors
The Strategic Risk and Compliance Committee (SRCC) is a Committee of the Board of Directors established to discharge oversight responsibilities with key risks, including strategic and operational risks, and to ensure that the appropriate policies, procedures and guidelines to mitigate such risks are implemented and monitored.
The Strategic Risk and Compliance Committee held four meetings during the period January 1 – December 31, 2024, as follows:
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| Directors | Feb 19 | May 10 | Sep 9 | Nov 11th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Green | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nigel Edwards | √ | Abs. | √ | √ |
| Chip Sa Gomes | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Anne Joseph | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Stephen Allum Poon | √ | |||
| Anthony Joseph | N/A | √ | √ | √ |
Abs.
Absent with excuse
Ceased to be a Member
1st Committee Meeting following appointment to Board of Directors
The Human Resources and Governance Committee (HRGC) is a Committee of the Board of Directors appointed to assist the Board in discharging its oversight responsibilities in optimising human resources.
The Human Resources Committee held four meetings during the period January 1 – December 31, 2024, as follows:
(Scroll within the table to learn more)
| Director | Feb 19 | Mar 11 | May 13 | Oct 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jo-Anne Julien (Chairman) | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Nigel Edwards | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Sharmaine Caballero | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Brevard Nelson | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Robert Green | √ | √ | √ | √ |
The Trust Operations Committee (TOC) is a Committee of the Board of Directors established to discharge oversight responsibilities relative to the Corporation’s Trust Operations Policy and its implementation and the governance structure of the Trust Operations Department which stipulates the levels of autonomy and segregation of duties.
The Trust Operations Committee held four meetings during the period January 1 – December 31, 2024, as follows:
(Scroll within the table to learn more)
| Directors | Feb 20 | May 7 | Aug 6 | Nov 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fe Lopez-Collymore | √ | √ | √ | |
| Dirk Smith | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Brevard Nelson | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Stephen Allum Poon | √ (invitee) | √ (invitee) | √ (invitee) | √ |
| Kathryn Abdulla | N/A | N/A | N/A | √ |
Ceased to be a Member
1st Committee Meeting following appointment to Board of Directors
The Internal Audit Department operates as an independent assurance function that reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Internal Audit Charter was reviewed and approved by the Board’s Audit Committee; it outlines the authority and responsibilities of the Internal Audit Department.
The Corporation’s enterprise-wide risk management framework comprises three lines of defence among Compliance and Risk Management and the Internal Audit Departments to mitigate both current and emerging risks. While Compliance and Risk Management develop and implement the policies and procedures that govern the day-to-day operations of the Corporation, Internal Audit provides independent, objective assurance to the Board that the governance processes, management of risk and systems of internal control and compliance are adequate and effective.
The Audit Committee is satisfied that the internal audit function has been and continues to be executed in a transparent and objective manner and that there is no undue influence from the Management Team
The UTC Act provides that the Corporation is audited annually by the Auditor General’s Department, an independent body established by the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago.
Our Mutual Funds are audited by a local service provider contracted through a tendering process. This provider has also engaged in non-audit work for the Corporation. The Audit Committee is satisfied that they have performed their duties in a transparent and independent manner.
The Corporation remains committed to fair and ethical business practices, and these form the basis of the Corporation’s core values. These principles are entrenched in our Code of Ethics, and all Team Members, including Directors, are required to read and attest to adhering to the obligations in the Code on an annual basis.
The Board, Senior Management and all Team Members are subject to the Corporation’s Conflict of Interest Policy. The Audit Committee has oversight for the management and monitoring of this Policy to ensure compliance.
The Policy defines conflicts of interest and also provides the procedure for declaring and managing any disclosed conflicts of interest.
All Directors are required to disclose any material interest(s) before participating in any Board or Committee meeting in accordance with Section 9(3) of the UTC Act.
Where a Director has a direct or indirect personal or business interest, unless the Board or Committee determines that the Director’s interest is immaterial or irrelevant, the Director is required to withdraw from the meeting while the Board or Committee considers the matter.
RHIAN CLEMENT
Head, Trust
Responsibilities: Mr. Rhian Clement has oversight of the Fund Administration department and Custody Unit. He leads a team that implements and maintains operational controls with a focus on maintaining the timely and accurate execution and completion of investment decisions. He is also responsible for overseeing the valuation and due diligence of all portfolio Funds Under Management.
LINDA WILSON-MANO
Head, Advisory Services
Responsibilities: Ms. Linda Wilson- Mano provides leadership to a dynamic team of financial advisors who provide personalised financial planning and advice to clients. Her role is critical to ensuring that her team supports the Corporation’s operational and strategic goals relating to sales and customer engagement.
MERLYN SYDER
Head, Digital Business
Responsibilities: Ms. Merlyn Syder is responsible for overseeing the Corporation’s digital business strategy and projects to improve the customer experience. She also collaborates with cross- functional teams to transition analogue processes to digital ones, bringing agility to the corporation’s digital capabilities and competencies. Her expertise encompasses leveraging technology and project management as the primary tools for effecting digitalisation.
DALE DESERVE
Head, Information & Communications Technology
Responsibilities: Mr. Deserve provides leadership over the Corporation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) strategy and implementation. In his role, he oversees the effective functioning of all ICT systems to ensure efficient and secure operations. He is responsible for developing and implementing digital transformation initiatives, process optimization, and cybersecurity resilience strategies and protocols to provide a secure and technologically advanced environment for staff, customers, and other stakeholders.
KESHMA MAHARAJ
Head, Compliance
Responsibilities: Ms. Keshma Maharaj leads an experienced team that is primarily responsible for overseeing the Corporation’s compliance with all laws as well as local and global, pertinent regulatory and legal requirements, policies and procedures. She ensures UTC remains responsive to new regulations as well as adheres to existing ones.
SHARON ST. CLAIR DOUGLAS
Head, Investment Centres & Agents
Responsibilities: Ms. Sharon St. Clair Douglas oversees the customer-facing channels of the Corporation with a focus on optimising the customer experience and enhancing existing relationships across the network of Investment Centres and Agencies. She leads a team that plays a critical role in devising strategies geared toward increasing sales and expanding UTC’s customer base.
PHILIP WILLIAMS
Head, Investments
Responsibilities: Mr. Philip Williams manages the Corporation’s Balanced Funds and is responsible for strategy formulation and execution, with a focus on optimising value and economic and capital market investment research. With experience in local, regional and international fixed-income and equity securities, his expertise is in mutual funds as well as pension fund investment management.
DARRIN CARMICHAEL
Advisor, Security & Corporate Services
Responsibilities: Mr. Darrin Carmichael provides leadership over the Corporation’s Security, Facilities and Corporate Services. In his dual role, he oversees the efficient and effective functioning of all UTC’s physical assets to ensure a functional, sustainable environment. He is responsible for developing and implementing security strategies and protocols and overseeing security operations to provide a safe environment for staff, customers and other stakeholders.
NEESA BALLY
Chief Internal Auditor
Responsibilities: Ms. Neesa Bally leads the team that provides independent assurance and oversight on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s risk management, governance and internal control processes. She is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a Certified Internal Auditor.
BRONYIA TELESFORD
Head, Accounting & Reporting – Finance
Responsibilities: Ms. Bronyia Telesford is responsible for managing the accounting and financial reporting functions for all entities owned and managed by the Unit Trust Corporation. This includes overseeing the dayto- day accounting and finance operations and producing financial reports inclusive of the published financial statements. She also ensures compliance with regulatory and taxation requirements.
KAREN GUYADEEN-GOSINE
Head, Investments
Responsibilities: Ms. Karen Guyadeen-Gosine is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and execution of the Corporation’s Fixed Income Funds. With experience that spans local, regional and international fixedincome and equity securities, she brings deep expertise in mutual fund and pension fund investment management, fund administration, merchant banking and consumer finance.
SONYA LE MAÎTRE
Head, Human Resources
Responsibilities: Ms. Sonya Le Maître plays a pivotal role in the strategic alignment of the workforce to achieve the Corporation’s strategic objectives and meet its business needs. She is responsible for leading the people, culture & leadership development components of our organisation.
HEMA RAMKISSOON
Head, Marketing
Responsibilities: Ms. Ramkissoon is responsible for the Corporation’s integrated marketing strategy. She leads the Marketing, Corporate Communications, Digital and Events Teams to effectively manage public relations & reputation management, drive effective brand positioning through traditional and digital touchpoints, foster growth through stakeholder relationships and build and maintain regional partnerships. She ensures the alignment of these diverse marketing functions to achieve the Corporation’s overall objectives.
RANDALL DE FREITAS
Head, Business Intelligence & Administration
Responsibilities: Mr. Randall De Freitas leads the team that is the engine for processing backoffice customer transactions, including the movement of the related customer and Corporation funds, document and records management, and process intelligence and optimisation across the Corporation.
Ms. Jo-Anne Julien is an Attorney-at-Law who has been in practice for over 40 years in Trinidad and Tobago, all of which have been spent in private practice. She specialises in the practice of corporate commercial law and has extensive knowledge and expertise in mergers and acquisitions, banking and securities law, and cross-border transactions.
Before she was appointed Chairman, Ms. Julien held the position of Independent Director on the Board of Directors of the Unit Trust Corporation since November 2020. During that time, she provided critical insight on conducting strategic engagement with stakeholders and oversight in ensuring robust monitoring and execution of the Corporation’s objectives and progress.
Ms. Julien is one of the founding partners and former Managing Partner of one of the country’s leading law firms from which she retired in January, 2025 and is now a Consultant with the firm. Ms. Julien’s dedication to service is unquestionably seen through her involvement with regulatory and legal organisations. She currently serves as Director on the Boards of the Trinidad Building and Loan Association, National Canners Limited, Bermudez Biscuit Group Limited, and Jamaica Biscuit Company Limited (Jambisco).
Among her civic duties, she is a former sitting member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago where she sat for some 20 years and is currently a sitting member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago.
Directorship on other boards:
Mr Nigel Edwards Executive Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation has more than 25 years of strategic management experience across an array of disciplines.
As a visionary leader Mr. Edwards is a vigorous advocate that people are a company’s strongest asset and they are the foundation for value-creation for all stakeholders As an architect of the Corporations entrepreneurial strategy he drives entrepreneurial innovation creating a more dynamic and diverse business landscape .
Prior to his current role he served as Chief Financial Officer at the Unit Trust Before that he was Chief Executive of Tatil Life Assurance Limited having spent 16 years in senior leadership positions in the ANSA McAl group
Mr. Edwards has served as a nonexecutive Director on several listed companies on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange as well as on several public interest company Boards He remains in active service to public authorities and several volunteer community organisations.
A national scholarship winner from St Augustine Senior Comprehensive School he is the holder of an MSc Finance from the London Business School a BSc Management Studies from the University of the West Indies St Augustine and a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants ACCA.
Directorship on other boards:
Mr. Chip Sa Gomes is a financial services professional with over 25 years of experience in local and regional financial markets.
He has served as Chairman Director and Senior Executive of publicly listed and private financial services companies both in Trinidad and Barbados In these positions he has grown insurance investment investment banking and consumer finance businesses Mr. Sa Gomes is currently running an investment advisory firm and serving as a nonexecutive Director of a consumer finance company digital asset funds and a family owned land development company.
Mr. Sa Gomes is a Chartered Financial Analyst CFA and was awarded an MBA from the University of Florida and a BSc in Electrical Engineering Hons from the University of Texas
Directorship on other boards
Brent Ford is a financial services professional with an impressive career spanning over 35 years of experience and expertise in the insurance, investments, and asset management sectors.
He spent his professional journey with a leading Caribbean financial services group with an extensive regional footprint and played a pivotal role in providing the strategic vision that led to the launch and growth of its Asset Management and Merchant Banking Division.
He simultaneously held the positions of CEO and Group Chief Investment Officer of the Group’s Asset Management business line with responsibility for differentiated investment strategies and portfolios in Jamaica, the Dutch Caribbean Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Before his retirement, he held positions on various Boards where he used his deep industry knowledge to add value to companies focused on property development and management across the Caribbean.
Mr. Ford holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of South Florida, a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI) certification, and holds an EMBA from the University of the West Indies.
Directorship on other boards:
Mrs. Sharmaine Caballero is a human resources professional with over 35 years of experience. During her career, she led the human resources function of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. Following this, she joined Republic Bank Limited, where she was a member of the executive management team, holding the position of General Manager, Human Resources, until her retirement.
Mrs. Caballero was awarded a BSc in Economics and Mathematics by The University of the West Indies and an MBA from New York University.
In addition, Mrs. Caballero is a former part-time lecturer at The University of the West Indies and a former President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Banking and Finance of Trinidad and Tobago.
Mr. Dirk Smith is a finance professional with over 29 years of experience in strategic leadership and management in the local and international financial services sector.
He began his professional career as an auditor, and with successive executive positions, is a seasoned business leader with extensive experience in banking and financial services.
He is regarded as an expert in treasury management, investments, and international trade, helped broker complex acquisitions and deals that added significant value to the respective portfolios of the entities involved and assisted in the transition of the business activities of a global, financial subsidiary to a new financial institution operating in Trinidad and Tobago.
He has extensive experience in risk management, foreign exchange trading, and portfolio management, with acute insight into local and foreign currency management.
Mr. Smith holds a BSc in Management Studies from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
Directorship on other boards:
Ms. Anne Joseph is an accomplished and respected economist with over 30 years of experience, whose expertise continues to help shape the development of Trinidad and Tobago’s social and economic policy.
During her professional career, she held the position of Senior Economist at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, where she was involved in enhancing monetary and financial policy in both the financial and non-financial sectors.
Her astute composition of research papers, encompassing the diverse and complex world of economic interconnectedness, has been published regionally in numerous policy journals and is testimony to her intellectual prowess at local and regional economic conferences.
On behalf of the government of Trinidad and Tobago, she has represented the country at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director, Brazilian Constituency, at the Executive Board of the Fund.
She is the holder of a BSc in Economics from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
Mr. Anthony John Joseph is a career public officer with an exemplary record of performance in the Public Service and currently holds the position of Manager of the Economic Management Division at the Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Joseph has represented the Ministry of Finance on numerous statutory and non-statutory committees, including at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Labour. He has also served on several State Boards such as the Minimum Wages Board, the Board of Commissioners of the Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Board of Management of the Students Revolving Loan Fund.
Mr. Joseph has represented Trinidad and Tobago in national and regional delegations to the United States, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Belize, and the wider Caribbean. In 2009, he was temporarily seconded to the Office of the Prime Minister to provide critical and strategic support to the National Secretariat for the Fifth Summit of the Americas.
A Senior Economist, with over 28 years of experience at the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Joseph holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and is a recipient of the Chevening Fellowship under the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where he studied Economics of Energy at the University of Reading, England.
Ms. Kathryn Abdulla is a distinguished legal professional with nearly 30 years of experience providing strategic legal counsel within the Caribbean. Her expertise includes navigating complex legal landscapes and regulatory frameworks.
She currently serves as the Caribbean Head of Legal & Corporate Secretary at The West Indian Tobacco Company Limited, providing executive leadership and governance oversight across 25 markets. Previously, Ms. Abdulla was Group Corporate Secretary at Guardian Holdings Limited, overseeing corporate matters across Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.
Ms. Abdulla is a graduate of Hugh Wooding Law School.
She is currently a non-executive director and chairman of Demerara Tobacco Company Limited in Guyana.
Directorship on other boards:
Mr. Brevard Nelson has over 25 years of experience, with demonstrated business acumen in marketing, technology and entrepreneurship.
Prior to his entrepreneurial journey, he held marketing and communications positions at a leading financial services company with a local and regional footprint.
Mr. Nelson is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of an integrated marketing company dedicated to helping Caribbean brands and businesses become more globally successful and influential through the power of technology and modern marketing.
In addition to his professional work, Mr. Nelson is passionate about giving back, with a special focus on youth and Caribbean development. He has served in various non-profit organisations in multiple leadership roles.
He has completed an Executive Education Programme at Harvard Business School and obtained an MA in Management from ESCEM Business School in France, an MA in International Marketing Communications from the London Metropolitan University and a BSc in Management Studies from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Mr. Nelson is currently pursuing a Master of Laws at The University of London and has completed Fintech and AI certifications from the Wharton School of Business.
Directorship on other boards:
Mr. Robert Green is the retired Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Bank Limited and has over 37 years of experience in the mortgage finance industry, having begun his career at the Home Mortgage Bank in several senior management positions.
He has extensive expertise in strategic planning, operational execution and organizational transformation. A proven track record in leading high-performing teams, navigating complex regulatory environments and delivering sustainable financial growth. In parallel, he has held multiple board appointments in the public, finance and service sectors, serving as Chairman, Deputy Chairman and committee Chair across key functions including Finance, Operations, Audit, Human Resources and Risk and Compliance. Adept at governance, oversight and stakeholder engagement, he offers a strong blend of industry acumen and governance leadership.
Mr. Green is a member of the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. He was a former Chairman of the Environmental Management Authority and member of the Management Committee of the National Academy for the Performing Arts. He was a member of a government-appointed committee in the areas of housing and tourism development.
Mr. Green is a University of Western Ontario graduate with a BA in Economics and an MBA from the University of the West Indies, Institute of Business.
He is a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Diego Martin and held the positions of President and Treasurer. He is an avid golfer and contributed to developing the sport in Trinidad and Tobago in various positions at the club and national levels.
Directorship on other boards:
Mr. Stephen Allum Poon is a financial services professional with over 34 years of experience in the banking and insurance industries.
He commenced his professional career as a Senior Investment Analyst at a local insurance company before moving into the local banking sector. During his tenure at these financial institutions, he held several senior management positions, which included those of Group Treasurer, Group Financial Controller and Asset Management.
He has made significant contributions to the organisations in each position, from ensuring continued liquidity stability, product launch, and corporate structuring, all of which resulted in impressive value creation.
He also engineered a robust enterprise-wide risk management framework to mitigate risks and increase the bank’s competitive edge.
Mr. Allum Poon is currently the Chief Executive Officer of a property company. He holds an MSc in Accounting from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, and a BSc in Physiology/Biochemistry (Hons) from the Queen Elizabeth College, University of London.
Directorship on other boards:
Ms. Ayanna McGowan is an Attorney-at-Law with 27 years of post-qualification experience, twenty of which were spent in the financial services industry.
As the Unit Trust Corporation’s (UTC) General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Ms. Mc Gowan has executive responsibility for legal affairs, which includes the management of the Corporation’s corporate governance, as well as legislative and regulatory compliance. She also provides guidance to the Corporation’s business units in Trinidad and Tobago and the Corporation’s overseas operations.
Ms. Mc Gowan joined the Corporation in 2017 as Legal Counsel, with responsibility for contractual obligations and regulatory compliance. Before joining UTC, she served as Legal Counsel for a leading regional bank, overseeing a team responsible for contract management, product innovation, and overseas operations.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) from The University of the West Indies and a Certificate of Legal Education from the Hugh Wooding Law School. She is a member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, the Barbados Bar Association, and the Jamaican Bar Association.
As Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Crystal spearheads the strategic direction of the Corporation’s mutual funds and third-party funds under management, drawing on over 20 years of diverse leadership experience in finance, investment management, risk management, and compliance. She has been a member of our Strategic Leadership Team for the past eight years and prior to her current portfolio, served as Chief Risk Officer where she led the successful maturation of our risk management and compliance frameworks.
Her experience has provided in-depth knowledge of macroeconomic analysis, financial statement analysis, investment strategy formulation, portfolio management, compliance, and a comprehensive grasp of enterprise risk management across its various facets including market, operational, and business continuity.
Crystal holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute and a BSc in Management Studies and Finance from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Her leadership extends to the wider financial community, where she serves as President and active Board member of the CFA Society Trinidad & Tobago.
As Chief Risk Officer, Dearl provides strategic leadership to the Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance Division. He is also responsible for overseeing the risk management and compliance frameworks and providing assurance to the Board of Directors regarding the Corporation’s risk profile. He plays a crucial role in identifying risks that may impact our strategic objectives and collaborates with stakeholders to implement robust risk management mitigation strategies.
Having joined the Corporation in 2017, Dearl brings over 20 years of combined leadership and technical experience to his position. He has served as Head, Enterprise Risk Management, where he led various complex enhancements to the Corporation’s risk maturity, such as Information/Cyber Security, Business Continuity Management, Operational Risk Management, Financial Risk Management, Policy and Procedure Governance, and Fraud Risk Management.
Dearl has worked on strategic, national-level projects and committees that allow him to bring valuable experience and balanced insight to the Corporation. A national scholarship winner, he holds an MSc in Information Security from Royal Holloway, University of London and a BSc in Computer Science from University of Hertfordshire, UK. He holds certifications in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), Information Security Manager (CISM), Continuity Manager (CCM), and Information System Auditor (CISA).
Dearl is an adjunct faculty member of a tertiary-level institution, where he lectures on various topics including technology risk management and cyber/ information security.
Mr. Deyson Scott has over 20 years of experience in the financial services sector, bringing a strong background in fund management, business leadership, and corporate strategy.
Since joining the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (TTUTC) as Portfolio Manager in 2006, he has held key leadership roles across investment and commercial operations, contributing to the Corporation’s growth and evolution. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in advancing business development initiatives, strengthening customer relationships, and driving innovation in financial services.
In his current role, Deyson focuses on expanding TTUTC’s reach, fostering business growth, and enhancing the Corporation’s role in investment management and financial services. He also leads TTUTC’s entrepreneurship initiatives, supporting the development of high-potential businesses.
With a thoughtful and strategic approach, Deyson is committed to delivering innovative business solutions, improving customer experiences, and creating longterm value for stakeholders. In addition to his executive role, he serves on several boards, contributing his expertise to governance, strategy, and industry development.
Mr. Kerri Maharaj brings with him approximately 25 years of management experience and has held senior leadership roles spanning a range of industry sectors for both local and global entities.
In addition to various finance positions, Mr. Maharaj’s professional career includes General Manager, Treasury at a global banking entity, and Director, Mergers and Acquisitions at a global institution. His most recent position was Group Chief Financial Officer of a regional financial institution.
He holds various UK-based qualifications and is a fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and is the holder of a BSc in Financial Services and Associateship.
Mr. Maharaj has executive responsibility for the finance, accounting, procurement, and treasury functions of the Corporation.
Natasha M. Davis is a visionary executive leader with over 25 years of experience driving strategic transformation, digital innovation, and impactful marketing across the Telecommunications and Financial Services sectors. Currently serving as Chief Operations Officer at Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), Natasha leads strategic initiatives that have significantly enhanced operational efficiency, productivity, and organisational culture.
Previously, Natasha served as Executive Vice President of Marketing at Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT), where she led pioneering initiatives that significantly reduced costs and strengthened customer engagement through strategic branding and digital integration.
Natasha’s educational credentials include an MBA in International Marketing from Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, a BSc in Management Studies (Marketing & Finance) from UWI St. Augustine, and completion of the Harvard Advanced Management Program (AMP) in 2024.
Committed to purposeful leadership and community involvement, Natasha maintains her wellness and creativity through Pilates, yoga, photography, and extensive international travel.
Mr. Nicholas Nanton is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in Communications and Information Technology. He has global IT leadership experience, including more than 10 years in senior leadership positions.
In his current role as Chief Information Officer, he has executive responsibility for leading and driving the Corporation’s technological thrust and connectivity and oversees its enterprise architecture, information management, and security as well as all aspects of its technology strategy.
Before joining the Corporation, he served as Chief Technical Officer at a telecommunications company in Trinidad & Tobago. Nicholas has led projects across the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia, designing technical solutions from the ground up to maximise effectiveness and impact. In other experiences, he has engineered innovative and sustainable technologies for multiple clients across a broad spectrum of technical and commercial projects.
He has a BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
Apart from his professional obligations, Nicholas is a registered farmer with the Ministry of Agriculture and is very passionate about sustainable and environmentally responsible agriculture and food security.
